AS Kigali seek to maintain perfect league start

Turbo King Football League leaders AS Kigali will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season title when they take on fifth-placed Police FC on Saturday at Kicukiro stadium. Andrew ‘Casa’ Gasambungo’s AS Kigali have been in superb form in the league, winning five and losing one match thus establishing a one-point lead over second-placed Musanze at the top of the table.However, in Police they face a team brimming with confidence following a 6-0 win over Etincelles in which Imran Nshimiyimana claimed a brace and Kipson Atuheire, Peter Kagabo, Jean d’amour Uwimana and Jacques Tuyisenge scoring with extravagant chips. Gasambungo, who will miss impressive midfielder Mohammed Mushimiyimana due to suspension, says the game represents an ideal opportunity for his side to show true title aspirations. “We expect a tough challenge against Police but we will deal with it as it comes,” he told Saturday Sport yesterday.He added that, “We are in a strong position in the league and we have to be very solid playing away from home. It is important for us to win the big games.” The former SEC Academy coach will also be without key first team players including goalkeeping duo of Emery Mvuyekure and Regis Ingabire, Ibrahim Itangishyaka, Eugene Habyarimana, Rodriquez Murengezi and Bodo Ndikumana, who are all out injured.Other players who will miss this tie because of the on-going national examinations include; Justin Mico, Latif Bishira, Hamidou Ndayisaba and Patrick Umwungeri. On the other hand, Police coach Sam Ssimbwa said he will approach the AS Kigali match the same way he has done in the last three matches. “AS Kigali is a strong team and on paper they are better than us because they are above us in the table standing, so we must be very careful. I have full respect for them but we will play to win,” said the ex-Atraco FC coach. Police go into today’s tie having drawn 1-1 against APR, beaten Rayon Sports 2-1 and Etincelles 6-0 in their last three matches, while AS Kigali won against Marines, AS Muhanga and Gicumbi all by 1-0 margins. Second-placed Musanze will be aiming at maintaining their grip in the top-of-table when they tackle the Jean Baptiste Kayiranga’s Gicumbi in Musanze. Elsewhere, eighth-placed SC Kiyovu with nine points, take on 11th-placed Esperance at Mumena ground, while early season relegation candidates Amagaju hosts Marines in Nyamagabe and AS Muhanga will be at home to face high-flying Espoir in Muhanga. Amagaju, who will be under their new coach Godfroid Okoko, have one point out of possible 18. AS Muhanga, placed 13th with two points, face a tough test at home against Espoir, who succumbed to their first defeat of the season with a 2-0 home loss to the champions Rayon Sports in the last match. Ali Bizimungu’s AS Muhanga have not paid their players for three months and by press time, there were reports indicating that they might not honor today’s match. On Sunday, Rayon Sports, without two key strikers Papy Kamanzi and Samson Jakesh, face a tricky test against Mukura at Amahoro stadium, while 13-times champions APR will be away to Etincelles at Umuganda stadium.